Building cladding heater apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

A building cladding heater apparatus comprising: a heating element; an insulation layer on one side of the heating element; an adhesive layer on one side of the heating element, on the side opposite of the insulation layer; a first bus braid located in the heating element; a second bus braid located in the heating element. A building cladding heater system comprising: a building; a building cladding forming generally the skin of the building; a first building cladding heater apparatus affixed to an inner surface of the building cladding, the building cladding heater apparatus comprising: a heating element; an insulation layer on one side of the heating element; an adhesive layer on one side of the heating element, on the side opposite of the insulation layer; a first bus braid located in the heating element; a second bus braid located in the heating element; a power source located on the interior side of the building cladding and in operable communication with the first building cladding heater apparatus.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a building cladding heating apparatus andsystem, and more particularly, to a building cladding heating apparatusand system that will prevent ice, and snow from building up onnon-vertical surfaces of buildings.

BACKGROUND

High rise buildings in cold regions have been limited in their designand architecture by the danger of snow and ice accumulating on anyinclined or horizontal surfaces of the building, and shearing off andfalling to the ground with the potential of property damage and injuryor death to pedestrians below. Architects, building designers, andbuilding owners are in need of an apparatus and system that prevents thebuildup of snow and ice that is functional yet, does not impact theaesthetics of the building's façade, and that will allow them greaterflexibility in the design and functionality of today's high risestructures.

Known heating systems are generally applied to the exposed surface ofthe structure and deter from the aesthetics of the building. Also, theseheating systems do little to prevent the build-up of snow and/or ice,but are generally only intended to allow melt water to exit the surfacewithout re-freezing. Their use is primarily to facilitate the flow ofmelt water off a roof or gutter system.

Thus there is a need for a building cladding heating apparatus andsystem that overcomes the above listed and other disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed invention relates to a building cladding heater apparatuscomprising: a heating element; an insulation layer on one side of theheating element; an adhesive layer on one side of the heating element,on the side opposite of the insulation layer; a first bus braid locatedin the heating element; a second bus braid located in the heatingelement.

The invention also relates to a building cladding heater systemcomprising: a building; a building cladding forming generally the skinof the building; a first building cladding heater apparatus affixed toan inner surface of the building cladding, the building cladding heaterapparatus comprising: a heating element; an insulation layer on one sideof the heating element; an adhesive layer on one side of the heatingelement, on the side opposite of the insulation layer; a first bus braidlocated in the heating element; a second bus braid located in theheating element; a power source located on the interior side of thebuilding cladding and in operable communication with the first buildingcladding heater apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in thepertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where likeelements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the building claddingheater apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the building cladding heater apparatusinstalled on a building;

FIG. 3 a front schematic view of the building cladding heater apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of the building claddingheater apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a front view of still another embodiment of the buildingcladding heater apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a top view of one embodiment of the building cladding heaterapparatus;

FIG. 7 is a front view of two building cladding heater apparatusconnected by a cable and connectors;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a cable with a male connector;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a male connector;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a cable with a female connector;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the female connector;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a plurality of building cladding heaterapparatuses attached to a building cladding; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a plurality of building cladding heaterapparatus attached to a different building cladding configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the disclosed building cladding heaterapparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a heating element 14. Theheating element 14 may be sandwiched between an insulation layer 18, andan adhesive layer 22. The heating element 14, insulation layer 18, andadhesive layer 22 may form a generally square or rectangular shape inone embodiment. A power supply 26 is in operable communication with theheating element 14. The thickness of the heating element shown by t_(h)may be about 0.0625″ to about 0.125″.The thickness of the totalapparatus 10, that is the thickness of the heating element, insulationlayer, and adhesive layer, shown by t_(h+i+a), my range from about0.125″ to about 2.125″. The apparatus may be applied to the innersurface of a building cladding, with the adhesive layer 22 used toattach the apparatus 10 to the inner surface of the building cladding.Building cladding is generally the exterior skin, or envelope of abuilding, and includes all moisture barriers and siding materials usedto cover the outside of the structure. Building cladding can serve botha decorative and a functional purpose. It is used to complement thearchitectural style of the building while also offering protection fromrain, wind, snow, and other outside elements. Building cladding can alsoadd insulation to the structure while minimizing sound transmissionthrough the walls. While the term cladding is widely used in Europe andAustralia, these exterior finish materials are typically known as sidingin North America.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a building 30, with buildingcladding 34. The disclosed building cladding heater apparatus 10 isshown attached to the inner surface of the building cladding 34 on anon-vertical surface 38. In this view the power supply 26 is not shown.

FIG. 3 is a view of the disclosed building cladding heater apparatus 10attached to a building cladding panel 38. Facing the viewer in FIG. 3 isthe insulation layer 18. The heating element 14 is behind the insulationlayer 18 in this view, as is the adhesive layer 22. The heating element14 and adhesive layer 22 are not visible in this figure. The adhesivelayer 22 is between the heating element 14 and the building claddingpanel 38. Electrical conductors 42 are shown in communication with theheating element 14. The electrical conductors 42 will be incommunication with the power supply 26, not shown in this figure.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the heating element 14. The heatingelement 14 may comprise a semi-conductive core 46, and a dielectricinsulation 50 in the form of a polyethylene film. In one embodiment, thedielectric insulation 50 is a component of the heating element 14. Theheating element 14 may comprise a plurality of slots 54. The slots willincrease the flexibility of the heating element 14, therefore allowingfor a large element 14 that will not tend to break when flexed orslightly bent. The width of the element 14 with slots 54 may be about 3inches to about 12 inches, as shown by W_(s). The heating elements mayhave bus braids 58 that are embedded in the heating element 14, and thatare configured to be in communication with a power supply. In oneembodiment, the slots 54 go all the way through the heating element 14.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the heating element 14. In thisembodiment, there are no slots 54. Thus, the maximum size of the heatingelement 14 is reduced due to the relative inflexibility of the heatingelement 14 with slots. The width of this heating element 14, shown byW_(ns) may range from about 3 inches to about 5 inches.

FIG. 6 is a top view of one embodiment of the building cladding heaterapparatus 10. The thickness t_(h+i+a) may be about ½ inch.

FIG. 7 is a front view of two building cladding heater apparatuses 10attached via a cable 62 and male connectors 66 and female connectors 70.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of the male connector 66 andcable 62. FIG. 8 shows a partial cutaway view of the cable 62. FIG. 9 isa front view of the male connector 66.

FIG. 10 is a side view of one embodiment of the female connector 70 andcable 62. FIG. 10 shows a partial cutaway view of the cable 62. FIG. 11is a front view of the female connector 70.

FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of multiple building cladding heaterapparatuses 10 designed to be attached to a building cladding 34. Cables62 connect the building cladding heater apparatuses 10 to several powersupplies 26.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of multiple building cladding heaterapparatuses 10 designed to be attached to a building cladding 34. Cables62 connect the building cladding heater apparatuses 10 to several powersupplies 26.

This square or rectangular shape of the building cladding heaterapparatus 10 is easy to ship and store, and is easy to use. However, theshape of the building cladding heater apparatuses 10 may be any shapesuitable to attach to a building cladding panel, including circular,oval, trapezoidal, triangular, etc. The heating element 14 may be apositive coefficient polymer. The positive coefficient polymer may beconfigured such that it produces more power as the temperature falls andreduces its power output as the temperature rises.

The heating element comprises self-regulating technology that provideseven heat distribution with generally no hot spots. The heating elementsare self-regulating, that is as the ambient or air temperature drops,the heating element produces more heat. Inversely, the warmer theambient or air temperature, the less heat is produced. The disclosedsystem is designed to install on the interior surface of cladding, andprovides enough heat to prevent the buildup of damaging ice/snow on anyhorizontal or inclined surfaces. Since the building cladding heaterapparatuses 10 are installed on the internal side of the buildingcladding, the visibility of unsightly wires/cables, power supplies,etc., are eliminated. The heaters can be sized and configured to fitgenerally any de-icing requirements. The system is low voltage, and thuseliminates the need or requirement for costly ground fault protectionrequirements. The system has a generally simple and modular design whichfacilitates ease of installation in the field. In one embodiment, themaximum exposure temperature may be about 176° F. (80° C.); the powerdensity ranges from about 0.054 watts/ in² to about 0.22 watts/in². Thevoltage may range from about 5V to about 30V, and use an AC or DCsource. The power leads may be 3′ long tinned copper. The system may usemodular male/female connectors for are available for building claddingheater apparatuses 10 that will be connected in series. The buildingcladding heater apparatus may have a silicone, rubber, or Mylaroverjacket with an optional pressure sensitive adhesive.

The building cladding heater apparatus 10 are designed to prevent theaccumulation of Ice/Snow on the building surface by producing a nominalpower output of 20-30 watts/sq.ft. The building cladding heaterapparatuses 10 may be installed on the interior side of the building'scurtain wall/cladding. The building cladding heater apparatus 10 may bean ETL recognized heaters. The building cladding heater apparatus 10 maycomprise a PTC heating element insulated by sheets of polyester and/orpolyethylene co-laminate. The resistance of the heating element willvary with temperature butt will consistently yield a nominal wattdensity equal to 20-30 watts/sq.ft. +/−. Insulation will generally befactory applied to one side of the heating element. The buildingcladding heater apparatuses 10 may come standard with 10′ long, 12 AWGInsulated Cold leads. Each building cladding heater apparatus 10 may besupplied with a factory applied Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive for ease ofinstallation. The building cladding heater apparatuses 10 may operate on24 volts with the use of transformers. The disclosed system may becontrolled by a switch, an ambient sensing thermostat, or an automaticsnow controller through an appropriate contactor.

This invention has many advantages. The building cladding heaterapparatus 10 may be easily installed on the interior of buildingcladdings. The disclosed system will generally be out of sight to thepublic, because of its internal installation. The building claddingheater apparatus and system will prevent the buildup of ice and snow onnon-vertical building surfaces when installed. The disclosed system isself-regulating, in that the heating element will increase intemperature when the ambient temperature is lowered, and the heatingelement will decrease in temperature when the ambient temperature ishigher. The disclosed system uses a low voltage system that does notrequire costly ground fault protection requirements.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, andthe like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/oranalogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential,or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specificallystated.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to severalembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing fromthe essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that thedisclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as thebest mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that thedisclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A building cladding heater apparatus comprising:a heating element; an insulation layer on one side of the heatingelement; an adhesive layer on one side of the heating element, on theside opposite of the insulation layer, the adhesive layer configured toadhere to an inner surface of a building cladding and thereby attach thebuilding cladding heater apparatus to the inner surface of the buildingcladding; a first bus braid located in the heating element; a second busbraid located in the heating element.
 2. The building cladding heaterapparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element comprises: asemi-conductive core a dielectric insulation jacket surrounding thesemi-conductive core.
 3. The building cladding heater apparatus of claim1, wherein the first bus braid is parallel to the second bus braid. 4.The building cladding heater apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of slots located on the building cladding heater apparatus andconfigured to provide flexibility to the building cladding heaterapparatus.
 5. The building cladding heater apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe thickness of the building cladding heater is about ½ inch.
 6. Thebuilding cladding heater apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: apower supply in operational communication with the first and second busbraids.
 7. The building cladding heater apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe power supply is a low voltage power supply of about 12 volts toabout 48 volts
 8. A building cladding heater system comprising: abuilding; a building cladding forming generally the skin of thebuilding; a first building cladding heater apparatus affixed to an innersurface of the building cladding, the building cladding heater apparatuscomprising: a heating element; an insulation layer on one side of theheating element; an adhesive layer on one side of the heating element,on the side opposite of the insulation layer; a first bus braid locatedin the heating element; a second bus braid located in the heatingelement; a power source located on the interior side of the buildingcladding and in operable communication with the first building claddingheater apparatus.
 9. The building cladding heater system of claim 8,further comprising: a second building cladding heater apparatus affixedto the inner surface of the building cladding and in operablecommunication with the power source.
 10. The building cladding heatersystem of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of additionalbuilding cladding heater apparatuses affixed to an inner surface of thebuilding cladding; wherein the first building cladding heater apparatusand the plurality of additional building cladding heater apparatuses areconnected serially by one or more cables.
 11. The building claddingheater system of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of additionalbuilding cladding heater apparatuses affixed to an inner surface of thebuilding cladding; wherein the each of the additional building claddingheater apparatuses are connected to one or more power supplies.
 12. Thebuilding cladding heater apparatus system of claim 8, wherein theheating element comprises: a semi-conductive core a dielectricinsulation jacket surrounding the semi-conductive core.
 13. The buildingcladding heater apparatus system of claim 8, wherein the first bus braidis parallel to the second bus braid.
 14. The building cladding heaterapparatus system of claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of slotslocated on the building cladding heater apparatus and configured toprovide flexibility to the building cladding heater apparatus.
 15. Thebuilding cladding heater apparatus system of claim 8, wherein thethickness of the building cladding heater is about ½ inch.
 16. Thebuilding cladding heater apparatus system of claim 8, wherein the powersource is a low voltage power source of about 12 volts to about 48volts.